New this week

"Coco," animated, PG. On the Day of the Dead, 12-year-old aspiring musician Miguel finds himself trapped in the Land of the Dead, and he must solve a family mystery before he can return home. The first all-new Pixar film since "The Good Dinosaur" features an all-Latino voice cast, including Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt. Opens Nov. 22, with preview shows Nov. 21.

"Lady Bird," dramedy, R. A teenager (Saoirse Ronan) weighed down by the low expectations of everyone around her, sets out to make her mark. The movie is already a hit in very limited release, and Oscar buzz is high for Laurie Metcalf, as Lady Bird's mother. Opens Nov. 17 at Fine Arts Theatre.

"The Man Who Invented Christmas," historical drama, PG. Charles DIckens (Dan Stevens) is having a career downturn when he decides to write and publish "A Christmas Carol," the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer). Opens Nov. 22 at Flat Rock Cinema.

"The Star," animated, G. The animals from the manger where Jesus was born get their own animated movie. Opens Nov. 17.

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," crime dramedy, R. The mother (Frances McDormand) of a murdered daughter angers the local sheriff (Woody Harrelson) when she pays for three bilboards taking him to task for not solving the case. Filmed in and around Sylva, N.C. Opens Nov. 22 at Fine Arts Theatre, with Asheville Movie Guys screening on Nov. 27 (see box).

"Wonder," starring&nbsp;Jacob Tremblay and Julia Roberts, is expected to earn several Oscar nominations, including for makeup.&nbsp;(Photo: Lionsgate)

"Wonder," family drama, PG. Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, the movie focuses on August Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), a boy with facial deformities who enters public school for the first time in the fifth grade. With Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. Directed by Stephen Chbosky ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower"). Opens Nov. 17.

"Daddy's Home 2," comedy, R. Following in the footsteps of "A Bad Moms Christmas," this comedy sequel set at the holidays brings back step-dad Brad (Will Farrell) and cool dad Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and adds their fathers (Mel Gibson and John Lithgow), who are even more polar opposites than their sons.

"The Florida Project," drama, R, Grade: B. An undisciplined 6-year-old and her playmates run rampant over the seedy motels where their struggling parents and guardians live in poverty not far from Walt Disney World. Willem Dafoe plays the often exasperated manager of one of the motels. At Grail Moviehouse.

"Jigsaw," horror, R. John Kramer, the man known as the Jigsaw Killer (from the "Saw" movies), has been dead for 10 years, but he's the lead suspect in a new series of gruesome murders. A new batch of victims is tortured with the promise of life if they endure and inflict pain. One show daily at Carolina Cinemark.

"Jane," documentary, not rated but PG equivalent, Grade: A. Using a trove of never-before-seen vintage footage, the film narrates scientist Jane Goodall's early explorations studying chimpanzees in the wild, and it also covers her relationship with cameraman and, later, husband Hugo van Lawick. At Grail Moviehouse.

"Loving Vincent," drama, PG-13. Grade: B. Touted as "the world's first fully oil painted feature film," the movie brings to life the artwork of Vincent van Gogh to explore the painter's complicated life and controversial death. At Fine Arts Theatre.

"Murder on the Orient Express," murder mystery, PG-13. Grade: C-minus. Kenneth Branagh directs himself as detective Hercules Poirot in one of Agatha Christie's most enduring whodunits, first filmed with an all-star cast in 1974. The new version adds some action outside the snowbound luxury train and brings together an all-new all-star cast. At chain theaters and Grail Moviehouse.

"Victoria and Abdul," historical drama, PG-13. Grade: A-minus. Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal). Her children and household are scandalized. At Flat Rock Cinema.

ASHEVILLE MOVIE GUYS NIGHTS

The next Asheville Movie Guys hosted screening will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 for “Thre Billboards Outside Epping, Missouri,” a movie filmed in and around Sylva and starring Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson. Join the Guys at the Fine Arts Theatre, downtown.

Citizen-Times subscribers get in for just $6.50 and can download a coupon for free popcorn at citizen-times.com/insider. The evening includes a brief introduction to the film and a discussion afterward with the audience. Everyone is welcome to come.